Adjustable multiple shaving head assembly for electric shavers



Oct. 2, 1962 R. R. REAM 3,056,198 ADJUSTABLE MULTIPLE sHAvING HEAD ASSEMBLY EUR ELECTRIC sHAvERs Filed Feb. 11, 1960 s sheets-sheet 1 @laag/ ATTORNEY Oct. 2, 1962 R. R. REAM 3,056,193'

ADJUSTABLE MULTIPLE sHAvING HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC sHAvERs 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1l, 1960 b@ QR INVENTOR /POBEAPr/Q Pei/14 ATTORNEY l. m L 7 Y A E ,.,MW U

Oct. 2, 1962 3,056,198

R. R. REA ADJUSTABLE MULTIPLE SHAVING HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC SHAVERS Filed Feb.. ll, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR /POSERTA A95/ww United States Patent O 3,056,198 ADJUSTABLE MULTIPLE SHAVHNG HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC SHAVERS Robert R. Ream, Ephrata, Pa., assigner to Schick Incorporated, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 8,019 7 Claims. (Cl. Sti-43) This invention relates to electric shavers of the kind including a plurality of :shaving head units mounted on one end of a handle or case which houses an electric drive motor for reciprocating the inner cutters of the head units. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a shaver of that kind incorporating three shaving heads and having means for rendering the shaver adjustable to suit the needs of the particular user, the adjustment means including -bar like elements disposed between the heads and movable toward and from the tops or skin engaging surfaces of the heads to vary the degree of penetration of the skin into the spaces between the heads and, hence, the closeness with which the adjacent perforated areas of the heads can be brought to bear against the face.

The principal object of the invention is to provide the necessary components of `such construction as to enable the entire head, including the three individual head units and also the adjustment means, to be preassembled for ready mounting on and removal from the case or handle, that is, as a complete or self-contained subassembly. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred form of the invention.

In general, the invention consists of an adjustable, multiple-head assembly for electric Shavers comprising the combination of a cradle, a central and two outer `shaving head units seated side by side on the cradle in laterally spaced relation, means securing 4the head units to the cradle, a vertically movable adjustment member of substantially U-shaped cross section disposed with its base portion beneath the central `head unit and its arms upstanding one on each side of such unit, the upper ends of the said arms terminating adjacent the top surfaces of the head units, and manually operable means, mounted on the cradle, for effecting vertical movement of the adjustment member.

I n the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred form of the invention:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the preferred form of assembly;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the same assembly, on a larger scale and partially sectioned, as on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar sectional views of the lower portion only of the assembly, showing the adjustment member in diiferent positions; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the major components of the assembly.

The details of construction of the shaving head units, per se, form no par-t of the present invention but, for purposes of illustration, the central head is shown as consisting of an outer cutter generally designated 1 and an inner cutter generally designated 2. The outer cutter comprises a channel base 3 and, secured to it, a top shell 4 of which the upper portion is suitable perforated to ICC provide the usual hair receiving openings. (As will be understood, the terms upperj top, vertical and the like are used herein simply with reference to the disposition of the assembly components as they happen to be illustrated in the drawings.) The inner cutter also cornprises a base portion `5 and an upper shell 6 of which the appropriately perforated top engages the under surface of the outer cutter shell so that, when the inner cutter is reciprocated, it serves to sever the hairs which protrude through the openings in the outer cutter, in the usual manner. The reference 10 indicates a spring holding the surfaces of the two cutters in close engagement and the reference 11 a pressure block which sustains the spring and also serves to receive the upper end of the inner cutter actuating lever l2 (FIG. 3).

Except for details of form, the two outer heads, generally desi-gnated 14 and 15, are of the same construction as the central head and the corresponding parts, designated by primed reference characters, need no further description.

The various components of the head assembly of the invention are mounted on what, for convenience, will be termed a cradle, which is preferably of molded plastic material. To facilitate molding, the cradle may be and is shown as being made up of two identical halves. This detail, which is by no means essential, will be referred to again later in the description but, for present purposes, the general description of the assembly will proceed as if the cradle were molded as one piece.

Generally designated 2G, the cradle will be seen to consist of a framework of generally U-shaped cross section but having, at its ends, laterally extending base portions 21 which serve as seats for the two outer head units. The latter are disposed between and held against endwise movement in relation to the cradle by the triangular gusset portions 22. Also, adjacent each end, the cradle incorporates a pair of laterally spaced upstanding portions 23 which receive and locate the central head unit and space the outer head units from it. These spacer portions are united by vertically disposed side webs 24 which are of thinner section than the lspacer portions so that, throughout the major part of the length of the central head, a recess or clearance space 25 is provided between the webs 24 and the -sides of the central head (FIG. 2).

Means are provided for securing the head units to the cradle, such means being shown `as comprising U-shaped spring clips 30 which, inserted `from the under side of the assembly, embrace adjacent walls of the cutter bases and clamp them against the intervening cradle portions. In this instance, four such spring clips are shown. To permit the insertion of the clips, the base channels of the heads are provided with openings 31 (FIG. 2) and the formed, `free ends of the clips are adapted -to snap into openings 32 in the side walls of the base channels of 4the head units. The clips are also located in recesses 26 of the cradle ('FIG. 6) and, by the means described, all three of the head units are effectively positioned and held against movement in relation to the cradle while being readily detachable by the removal of the clips.

The means for rendering the shaving action adjustable includes an adjustment member, generally designated 40, which is of substantially U-shaped section (see FIG. 6). This member is disposed with its base portion 41 beneath the central head unit and its arms 42 upstanding one on each side of such unit, the reversely bent upper ends 43 of these arms terminating adjacent the top surfaces of the head units. The upstanding arms of the adjustment member are disposed in the aforesaid space between the vertical cradle webs and the central head, the clearance being sucient to afford the adjustment member freedom of movement vertically in relation to the cradle and beads. As will be seen, the reversely bent portions 43 telescope over the upper edges of the cradle webs so that the latter serve as guides for the upper ends of the arms of the adjustment member. It will be noted also that the upper portions of the 4arms 42, including the reversely bent portions 43, are of substantially the same length as the head units whereas the lower portions of arms 42 are shorter, enabling the base 41 of the adjustment member to depend, between the cradle shoulders 27 (FIG. 6) to the open, under side of the cradle where it is exposed and accessible.

Manually operable means, also mounted on the cradle, are provided for effecting vertical movement of the adjustment member to suit the shaving needs of the particular user. In the form illustrated, a leaf spring 50 is located between the upper face of the base 41 of the adjustment member and the under side of the base channel of the central head, the spring being so formed and biased as to urge these two components apart, that is, to unge the adjustment member downwardly. In order to position spring t) and hold it against endwise bodily movement, the spring is provided with centrally disposed, laterally extending tabs 51 which extend into guide slots 45 formed in the arms 42 of the adjustment member (FIG. 6).

Conveniently, upward movement of the adjustment member, against the action of spring 50, is effected by a movable member or element having a cam portion adapted for engagement with a coacting portion of the adjustment member; and, in the -fcrm illustrated, such element comprises a slide bar, generally designated 60, having protruding, up turned ends 61 by which it can be fingerpushed in either direction, lengthwise of the assembly.

Intermediate its ends and beneath the base portion 41 of the adjustment member, the slide bar (see FIGS. 3-5) is provided with two upstanding cam portions 62, 63 which penetrate, respectively, the slots 46, 47 of base portion 41, with their cam slopes abutting the appropriately shaped tabs 48, 49 which are bent up from base portion 41 of the adjustment member. It will thus be seen that, as the slide bar is pushed to the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, the adjustment member will be cammed upwards to increase the height of its upper ends 43 in relation to the top surfaces of the shaving head units, thereby minimizing the degree of engagement of the skin of the user with the adjacent shaver head surfaces. When, on the other hand, the slide bar is pushed back to the left, spring 50 will yfunction to move the adjustment member downwardly to la lower position. The slide bar is located in a recess 28 extending the full length of the under side of the ycradle and is suitably held in the recess, as by means of a retainer plate 70. The latter is provided with four spring tabs 71 which are adapted for snap engagement with the lug portions 29 of the cradle (FIGS. 2 and 6).

The retainer plate also incorporates detent means for holding the slide bar in any one of several positions of adjustment, such means comprising the bent ends 72 of the leaf spring extensions 73 of the retainer plate. These detents 72 are adapted to enter one or another of the yopenings 64, 65, 66 in the slide bar. In the FIG. 3 position, with the slide bar all the way to the left, the left hand detent 72 is seated in opening 65. In the FIG. 4 or intermediate position, the right hand detent 72 is seated in opening 66. And, when the slide bar is all the way lto the right, as in FIG. 5, the left hand detent 72 is seated in opening 64.

As mentioned above, the molding of the cradle is facilitated by making it in two parts, and, as shown, it consists of two identical halves having a dowel projection at one end and a dowel hole S1 at the other so that, when the halves are brought together, the dowel of one enters the hole in the other, thereby positioning the parts and holding them against relative sliding movement. It is unnecessary to cement or otherwise unite the cradle halves because, as will be apparent, they and the head units are all securely locked together by the spring clips 30 and, incidentally, the slide bar retainer plate 70 also functions to hold the cradle halves against lateral separation.

It will be apparent that this complete head assembly is put together, with all its components securely held against accidental displacement, without the use of screws or special tools and that disassembly is effected by the mere removal of the retainer plate 70 and the four spring clips 3).

While the specific manner in which this adjustable head assembly is mounted on the motor casing of a shaver is outside the scope of this present invention, it will be apparent that portions of the cradle may be utilized for that purpose, as for example, the side bars 82.

In the light of the foregoing exemplification of the principles ofthe invention, the following is claimed:

l. An adjustable, multiple-head assembly for electric Shavers comprising the combination of a cradle, a central and two outer shaving head units seated side by side on the cradle in laterally spaced relation, means securing the head units to 4the cradle, a vertically movable adjustment member of substantially U-shaped cross section disposed with its base portion beneath the central head unit and its arms upstanding one on each side of such unit, the upper ends of the said arms terminating adjacent the top surfaces of the head units, and manually operable means, mounted on the cradle, `for effecting vertical movement of the adjustment member.

2. The combination of claim l in which the said cradle incorporates, adjacent each end, a pair of laterally spaced, upstanding, head spacer portions and, on either side thereof, laterally extending base portions and in which the central head unit is located between the said upstanding portions and the said outer head units are seated on said base portions and abut the outer sides of said upstanding portions.

3. The combination of claim l including a spring disposed between .and engaging the base portion of the adjustment member and the central head unit and biased -to urge the said member `downwardly in relation to such unit.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which the said manually operable means includes a movable element having a cam portion adapted for engagement with a portion of the adjustment member.

5. An adjustable, multiple-head assembly for electric shavers comprising the combination of a cradle, a central and two outer shaving head units `seated side by side on the cradle in laterally spaced relation, means securing the head units to the cradle, a vertically movable adjustment member of substantially U-shaped cross section disposed with its base portion beneath the central head unit land its arms upstanding one on each side of such unit, the upper ends of the said arms terminating adjacent the top surfaces of the head units, and a manually operable slide bar mounted on the under side of the cradle with freedom for endwise movement in relation thereto, said slide bar having an upstanding cam portion engaging the base portion of the adjustment member and adapted to raise the same in response to endwise movement of the slide bar.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which the slide bar is disposed in a recess formed in the under side of the cradle and in which a retainer plate, having means securing it to the cradle, overlies the slide bar and contines the same in the said recess.

7. An adjustable, multiple-head assembly lfor electric shavers comprising the combination of a cradle, a central and two outer shaving head units seated side by side on the cradle in laterally spaced relation, means securing the head units to the cradle, a vertically movable adjustment member of substantially Ueshaped cross section disposed with its base portion beneath the central head unit and its Varms upstanding one on each side of such unit, the upper ends of the said arms terminating adjacent the top surfaces of the head units, the cradle having a recess formed in the 4under side thereof, a manually operable slide bar disposed in the recess With freedom for endwise movement, 4the slide rbar having an upstanding cam portion engaging the base portion of the adjustment memher and adapted to raise the same in response to end- Wise movement of the slide bar, a retainer plate, having -means securing it to the cradle, overlies the slide bar and contines the same in the said recess, the slide bar having openings therein and the retainer plate having detent means adapted to end said openings.

No references cited. 

